City of Detroit to host Annual Public Budget Meeting Oct. 21
The City of Detroit is inviting residents to attend its Annual Public Budget Meeting hosted virtually by the Office of Budget. Attendees will have their first chance to share their priorities for the City’s budget. The meeting is Thursday, October 21 starting at 5:30 p.m.
The Annual Public Budget Meeting provides residents an opportunity to learn more about the programs and services funded by the City’s budget and to provide public comment. It marks the first stage of public engagement on the development of the fiscal year 2022-2023 budget, which takes effect on July 1, 2022. Topics will include how the budget is funded and major service areas like public health and safety, public works, street lighting, housing, recreation, and public transit.
In January, the City will continue its public engagement by hosting Community Budget Priorities Forums with each Council District. In early March, the Mayor will present the proposed budget, followed by City Council budget hearings during March and April.
Public comments on the City’s budget can be made at any time by emailing yourbudget@detroitmi.gov. To join the virtual meeting, click here.
The Detroit Fire Department is offering free smoke alarms for Detroiters and free installation for seniors and residents with disabilities.
Residents can pick up free smoke alarms at the Detroit Public Safety Headquarters, 1301 Third Avenue – Suite 330, on Tuesdays through Thursdays from 9 – 11 a.m. and 1 – 3 p.m. Supplies are limited. Seniors and individuals with disabilities can call 313-596-2959 or email communityrelations@detroitmi.gov to schedule a free smoke alarm installation appointment.
Landlords invited to attend BSEED virtual compliance workshop Oct. 29; registration deadline Oct. 22
City of Detroit marks 100th mural in City Walls Program aimed at bringing beauty to neighborhoods
Detroit artist Waleed Johnson began putting the finishing touches on a stunning new six-story mural on the side of a storage building at Mack and Van Dyke Oct. 14. Johnson’s creation, “The Spirit,” is the 100th mural in the four-year-old City Walls initiative.
Initially launched in 2017 as a pilot to replace graffiti-covered viaducts and vacant building walls with beautiful murals, City Walls has grown into a full-scale beautification program. The program’s goals are to highlight the values and identity of the communities where artwork is created, empower Detroit artists, and provide a positive cost-benefit to the public via art versus the cost of blight remediation.
The City has invested more than $500,000 in the Detroit art community, and more than 60 artists have completed 100 murals. City Walls art now covers more than 150,000 square feet of previously blighted walls.
In a nod to the Spirit of Detroit statue, Johnson’s mural depicts an African American woman adorned in the City of Detroit flag and holding the gold sun and spires as Marshall Fredrick’s statue.
For more information about the City Walls 100th mural, visit detroitmi.gov/news.
For more information on open calls and the next season of Blight Abatement Artist in Residence program, visit www.detroitmi.gov/citywalls
Before: The blank wall at Mack Ave. & Van Dyke before the City Wall project.
After: Local artist Waleed Johnson putting the finishing touch on “The Spirit” at Mack Ave. & Van Dyke. It is the 100th mural completed under the City Walls program.
Mayor, residents celebrate 45-year extension of affordable rents at nearly 200 renovated units of senior housing
Mayor Mike Duggan joined MHT Housing Inc. and other City officials Oct. 13 to celebrate the completion of a $19.7-million renovation of Parkview Place, an affordable housing community in Elmwood Park that is home to 198 low-income seniors.
In addition to all residents getting apartment makeovers, the affordability of Parkview Place was preserved for an additional 45 years, meaning none of its residents will have to worry about being priced out of their homes or the building going market rate. Nor will the seniors see their rents increase because of the upgrades.
The building, located at 1401 Chene St., is near downtown and within a short walking distance of a host of amenities, including Elmwood Central Park, the Coleman A. Young Recreation Center and a grocery store.
For more information about MHT Housing, go to www.mhthousing.net.
Detroit Police and Wayne County Community College District announce dual enrollment partnership program
 From left to right: WCCCD Chancellor Dr. Curtis Ivery, Detroit Police Chief James E. White and Mayor Mike Duggan announce a dual enrollment partnership at a news conference Oct. 13.
The Detroit Police Department and the Wayne County Community College District announced a partnership including a dual enrollment program and new career opportunities for high school students. As part of the partnership, a new 67,000-square-foot police training center for high school students will be located on the college’s northwest campus.
The partnership will create three new routes for high school students to jump start a career in law enforcement while earning a high school diploma and associate degree.
City to create $5-million, state-of-the-art shelter and office building for Animal Care & Control
City officials announced plans for a state-of-the-art animal shelter and office building for Detroit Animal Care and Control (DACC) Oct. 11. The $5-million facility will be located at Ferry and Russell near Wayne County’s new criminal justice complex.
The 30,000-square-foot building will provide nearly twice the space as DACC’s current 16,000-square-foot headquarters and shelter. It will include 200 kennels (up from 86 currently) to significantly expand its capacity for boarding dogs and cats and have larger outdoor areas for dog runs. It also will include a modern veterinary medical clinic and more space to allow Detroit Animal Care to provide a higher level of care and treatment. To read the full story, visit detroitmi.gov/news
Pet Owner Information
In addition, DACC officials are calling on all Detroit residents who own dogs to make sure their animals are secured, vaccinated against rabies, have a license and microchipped.
Pet Adoptions Available
For anyone interested in fostering or adopting an animal, go to the Detroit Animal Care shelter located at 7401 Chrysler Drive from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m., seven days a week or visit friendsofdacc.org.
 The new DACC facility will feature additional kennels and an expanded dog run area.
COVID-19 booster shots available at all City of Detroit vaccination sites
The City of Detroit is providing the COVID-19 Pfizer booster shot at its vaccination locations. Fully vaccinated individuals may receive the booster shot if they completed their Pfizer vaccine series at least six months prior. The booster is available only for residents who received the Pfizer vaccine. Moderna and Johnson & Johnson are still awaiting approval.
Scheduling Appointments
Appointments are encouraged for all vaccination sites, call 313-230-0505 or schedule an appointment online at www.vaccinatedetroit.com. Walk-ins are welcome. Bring vaccination card to appointment.
Third shots are available at all sites for immunocompromised residents after 28 days following completion of their two-dose series of Pfizer and Moderna. Anyone who is unsure should consult with a medical provider.
For more information and to find a location, go to detroitmi.gov.
Massive soil swap to create new storm water retention in Rouge Park, help complete Riverside Park Renovation
The soil excavation is underway to kick off the storm water project and use for Riverside Park.
The City of Detroit Water and Sewerage and General Services departments are collaborating on a unique excavation in Rouge Park that will benefit residents in two areas of the city.
Contractors began removing 120,000 cubic yards of soil from the southwestern portion of Rouge Park on the city’s far west side earlier this month. The soil is being removed to prepare for a massive storm water retention project that will help capture rain runoff from streets in a neighborhood with 1,200 homes to reduce the risk of street and basement flooding.
The soil then will be hauled about 12 miles to Riverside Park next to the Ambassador Bridge to help complete a multi-year transformation of the park into a new premier waterfront recreational opportunity for the residents of southwest Detroit.
It is estimated that the retention project will remove 98 million gallons of storm water runoff each year from the combined sewer system on the city’s far west side. The storm water will be stored in the new retention area, allowing it to be filtered naturally before being discharged into the Rouge River.
Project updates will be posted at www.detroitmi.gov/sewerupgrades. |
